A piece of advice you received that changed your life for the better.

Dad's advice changed my Life!

Without a doubt my Dad, Rex, was instrumental in the direction my life took. It started with a heart-to-heart conversation he had with me when I was seventeen. "Jen, I have to tell you how much I regret not graduating from high school." Dad was a precision machinist and never had a problem finding work, and work he did every day! I never remember him missing because he didn't feel well, etc. He got up and showed up. Dependable and a hard worker. I loved watching him lace his black steel-toed boots before heading out. I was privileged to pack his lunch each day in his black lunchbox.

Even without saying a word, my Dad was a good example. He was also a good provider, and you'd never hear him complain. Except, about imports. "Always buy American, Jen. It takes away Americans' jobs when we buy that imported stuff." I was with him when he walked out of a Sears store in the mall when he realized where the Craftsman tools were being manufactured. The salesmen stood, awkwardly bewildered when Dad told him he could keep his Made in China tools, and we walked away.

Dad was always successful at anything he set his mind to. Although he didn't have a diploma, he enrolled at the community and technical college in Hazard. He enjoyed learning about electronics and loved doing repairs on anything. He was a tinkerer, like my husband Andy, and it just seemed to come naturally. Dad's common sense, determination, and work ethic took him far. Dad encouraged me to go back and finish school. Taking an honest look at the choices I was making at the time, it was that decision of going back and earning my diploma that impacted my life in a big way.

Luckily, I didn't get held back for missing more than half of the previous school year. I was somehow allowed to continue on as a Junior and take the required Sophomore classes I'd missed out on. It was embarrassing sitting with my underclassmen, but I pushed through. I didn't take study halls, instead taking as many credit courses as I could. I used my summer break to take the required government and economics classes. I squeaked through at the end with a half a credit extra! Sister Ang helped adjust my cap that day at my graduation and wiped away a tear from her cheek. She told me she was proud of what I had accomplished.

After graduation, I applied for a job as a typesetter in a local print company. That job was also instrumental in teaching me so many things that continue to help me today with my the challenge of being a Special Needs Mom. Truly blessed for a loving earthly Father that gave me the best advice ever. I miss your wisdom Dad. Grateful you set me on a path I wouldn't have found on my own. Dad is also who taught me about Jesus!

Thanks Dad!

Loved and missed and forever grateful!